US Electric Power Generation drops for 4th month in row

[Sonny]

Electric Power Monthly January 2009 Edition
Electric Power Monthly with data for October 2008
Report Released: January 15, 2009
Next Release Date: Mid-February 2009


Executive Summary

Generation: Net generation in the United States dropped by 4.2 percent from October 2007 to October 2008. This was the third consecutive month that net generation was down compared to the same calendar month in 2007. The Commerce Department reported that real gross domestic product decreased from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2008, and continuing this trend, total industrial production in October 2008 as reported by the Federal Reserve was 4.1 percent lower than it had been in October 2007.

This was the fourth consecutive month that same-month industrial production in 2008 declined from 2007.

Net generation declined even though data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) population-weighted Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index (REDTI) for October 2008 was 4.3 percent “above average consumption.” October 2008 ranked as the forty-fourth coolest October on record; October 2007, in contrast, was the ninth warmest on record.

Full report:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electri...m/epm_sum.html

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[BirdGuano]

Not as large of a drop as Japan, but still notable.

[Ought Six]

It is very difficult to get through all the lawsuits and red tape in order to start construction on a new power plant. If it is a coal or nuclear plant, it is just not going to happen at all.

[BirdGuano]

Nobody is going to build a powerplant in a deflationary economy anyway.

The financing just isn't there.

[rryan]

Originally Posted by BirdGuano

Nobody is going to build a powerplant in a deflationary economy anyway.

The financing just isn't there.

Yeah, and our REA informed us recently that they can only guarantee power to us until through 2010 since the coal plant that was goign to be built got shot down by some enviroweenies.

[BirdGuano]

Originally Posted by rryan

Yeah, and our REA informed us recently that they can only guarantee power to us until through 2010 since the coal plant that was goign to be built got shot down by some enviroweenies.

The perfect storm to neuter any recovery.

[Pablo Escobar]

Assuming non business demand is relatively constant, then is the decrease attributable to a drop in business demand?

That is a scary datapoint, if true.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Pablo Escobar

Assuming non business demand is relatively constant, then is the decrease attributable to a drop in business demand?

That is a scary datapoint, if true.

It does in fact seem to be what has happen Considering that the third paragraph in the OP mentions, Oct,08 saw declining electric sales (kwhs) even though cooler temperatures this Oct compared to same month in 2007. A look at the eia productions numbers by sector would clarify.

Net generation declined even though data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) population-weighted Residential Energy Demand Temperature Index (REDTI) for October 2008 was 4.3 percent “above average consumption.” October 2008 ranked as the forty-fourth coolest October on record; October 2007, in contrast, was the ninth warmest on record.

eta>
PE.
This report contains data by sector by state and may provide a better answer your question. Seems not every state saw a decrease in production.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electri...able5_4_a.html

Retail Sales of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector, by State
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[shalym]

When I look at the data on the site that Sonny linked to, it looks like the biggest drop IS in fact in the residential sector. So...it looks to me like people are turning off things that use electricity and turning down their heat.

Shari